“The Voice of God Is over the Waters”: A Contextual Reading of Psalm 29 toward Reclaiming the Sakumo Wetlands in Ghana

Abstract

Sakumo Lagoon is a wetland in Accra, Ghana, that used to be a beautiful recreational site and a habitat for fish and various species of birds. The area served as a buffer to hold overflowing rains in order to prevent flooding in the surrounding communities. It is situated along the coastal road between Accra and Tema in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana and has been declared a Ramsar site. In recent times, the site has been encroached upon by individuals, estate developers and churches. It has also been turned into a huge refuse dumping site, thus destroying aquatic life and the biosphere. The destruction of the wetlands has serious implications for sacred space concepts. This study explores Ps 29 using an African contextual lens. It demonstrates how the interventions the psalmist calls for worship toward preserving the environment. It argues that a contextual reading of Ps 29 can draw the attention of the Christian community to preserve sacred spaces and raise a consciousness of identity that leads to ecojustice.